Dinagyang Festival 2011 grand champion, Tribu Pan-ay, performing at judging area number 4 fronting Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Grand Hotel. Video courtesy of machmalplatz
The grand winner of the Dinagyang Ati-atihan competition will go to New York, USA, to perform and showcase the world-famous Dinagyang Festival in time for the Philippine Independence Day celebration there.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog announced this upon receiving information from Arnel Sevillo of the Philippine Independence Day Celebration Inc., co-coordinator of the celebration in New York.
Mabilog said the Dinagyang Festival is now considered as the queen of festivals in the country, while the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) has named it the Philippines' best tourism event.
Sevillo said they are inviting the winning Dinagyang group, Tribu Pan-ay of the Fort San Pedro National High School, to go to America on June 2-6 to perform in the grand parade on June 5.
Among those who will visit New York to perform are 20 dancing tribe warriors, 15 drummers, the choreographer and five representatives each from the Iloilo City Government, the school, and the city tourism office.
The association in New York will be in charge of the 40 individuals for their meals, accommodations and transportation needs. An itinerary schedule is being prepared for them.
Sevillo, president of the Philippine Hiligaynon Association of America, said members of the entourage will not be allowed to be borrowed by relatives in the States and they could not go anywhere without the consent of the association.
Mabilog said each delegation member will need US$1,100 for air fare.
source: DINAGYANG FESTIVAL (Iloilo, Philippines) Facebook page
